One of the first things couples tell me is:
“We're awkward in front of the camera.” or “We’ve never taken professional photos before”
And almost every single time, I smile because I've heard it hundreds of times before.
The truth is, most people aren't models. You're not expected to know what to do with your hands, where to look, or how to stand. That's my job. But here's something that surprises a lot of couples... When you work with me, we're probably not going to spend much time standing still.
In fact, by the end of your session, you might feel like you've gotten a small workout in. (Don't worry, nothing too crazy!)
You'll Rarely Hear Me Say "Stand There and Smile"
Traditional portraits absolutely have their place.
Those classic photographs are timeless. They're the images that end up framed in your home, hanging in your parents' hallway, and shared with future generations.
We'll absolutely capture those. But after that? We're moving. We'll walk. We'll twirl. We'll laugh. We'll explore.
We'll probably walk back and forth more times than you can count.
And yes, there will probably be a moment where you're wondering why I I've asked you to do the same thing three different times.
Trust me—there's a reason. Movement creates life in photographs. Movement creates connection. Movement creates those natural reactions that simply can't be forced.
The Photos You Love Most Usually Start With...
"This feels weird." I hear it all the time.
And honestly, that's usually when I know we're creating something special. Sometimes I'll have a couple walk hand-in-hand while talking about their first date.
Sometimes I'll ask them to pull each other close and tell a terrible joke. Sometimes I'll ask them to spin, dance, run, or simply focus on each other while I quietly photograph the moments unfolding naturally.
To someone watching from a distance, it might look a little ridiculous. But through the camera?
Pure magic.
The beautiful thing about photography is that what feels awkward in the moment often becomes the image that everyone falls in love with later.
The Secret Is Connection, Not Perfection
The goal isn't to create perfect poses. The goal is to create genuine moments. The smile after a joke.
The laugh you weren't expecting. The way you naturally look at each other when you think nobody is paying attention.
Those are the moments that tell your story. Those are the photographs that bring you back to exactly how you felt years later.
Not because the pose was perfect. But because the emotion was real.
Why I Keep My Couples Moving
When people stand still for too long, they start overthinking. "Where do I put my hand?" "Am I smiling weird?"
"Do I look awkward?" The moment that happens, everything starts feeling forced. That's why I keep my couples engaged and moving throughout their session. When you're focused on each other instead of the camera, something incredible happens.
You relax. You laugh more. You stop worrying about how you look. And that's when the best photographs happen. Before long, most couples completely forget they're being photographed.
That's exactly where I want them.
Trust the Process
You don't need modeling experience. You don't need to know how to pose. And you definitely don't need to worry about being photogenic.
All you need to do is show up, trust the process, and enjoy being together. I'll handle the rest. There will be moments that feel natural.
There will be moments that feel a little silly. And there will probably be moments where you're convinced I'm making you do something strange. But years from now, when you're flipping through your wedding gallery, you won't be thinking about how awkward something felt for five seconds.
You'll be looking at photographs filled with joy, movement, laughter, and genuine connection. And those are the memories worth preserving. So if you're worried about posing, don't be. Just be ready to move around a little.
And maybe wear comfortable shoes—we've got memories to make.
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